As we began to put together this report regarding the current cholera outbreak in
Pestel, we realized that exactly one year ago, this was the title of the email we
sent out informing you of the urgent situation in Haiti…and this year the story is
much worse. Since the outbreak in October of 2010, cholera has continued to be a
problem and the World Health Organization anticipated the number of cases in Hispaniola
(Haiti & Dominican Republic) to reach 500,000 before the end of 2011. To date, over
7000 deaths nationwide have been reported.

I am now on my way to Pestel with a truck loaded down with supplies for the three
Cholera Treatment Centers we are setting up in this area. Thanks to the generosity
of many, water, medicine, cots, tents, and other needed supplies are on their way
to this region. We are going with heavy hearts, but at the same time, we are rejoicing
at the goodness of God in giving us the opportunity to bring this help to those will
die without it. Our location near the airport in Port-au-Prince has made us a prime
location for the staging of supplies and personnel. We are so blessed to be able
to be in a position to offer this important service and bring these desperately needed
supplies to this region.

The following information was given to me during a 3 hour interview with Dr. Philip
Seneque who heads the clinic in Pestel…

Our two main problems regarding healthcare and treatment for those living in this
area:

 Lack of funds to hire nurses and community workers close to the infected areas.
The sick cannot make the walk to Pestel. They die before reaching the clinic.

 Lack of funds to purchase the necessary supplies.

The believed source of contamination: There is a spring near Desriveaux that the
majority of people in this area get their water from and haul it long distances.
Dr. Philip believes this is possibly the main source of infection. It is an isolated
area hidden from the mainstream of people, therefore it is used as a bathroom area.
Waste seeps into the existing water supply and the contaminated water is then hauled
to other areas where there are known cases (Pavion).

Our Plan of Action: Set up three emergency stations (CTC – Cholera Treatment Centers).
There have been at least 10 known deaths, 7 additional deaths possibly due to infection
and of course there are undoubtedly many that go unreported. Many more will die without
the immediate response of appropriate treatment, care and education.

 Station 1 – Desriveaux - (29 cases found here and surrounding area) – This village
is central to most infected areas. The local authorities have loaned us an empty
house to use. There may be two government sponsored auxiliary nurses sent.

 Station 2- Perla - This will cover surrounding villages of Marchon and Pavion.
(We will be sending team members to this area to scout out and verify the situation
there).

 Station 3 – Tozia - (17 cases found here and surrounding area) – This area has
two nurses, but no house for the clinic or supplies. We will use this area as a main
receiving depot to truck all supplies, food and water to Pastor Leni’s church in
Joli Guibert as a distribution point. Teaching stations will be set up for instruction
on the necessity of boiling water and the use of Clorox or tablets for disinfecting
the water supply.

 We will need two nurses and one worker at all sites – Nurses would be $150 each,
workers $100.

All sites will need supplies:

General supplies needed: Medications & Medical Supplies needed:

40 each-cots, buckets, basins Cipro, Erythromycin suspension, Zofran

Sheets, blankets, IV fluids & set ups

Towels, washcloths, Paper Gowns, gloves

Large garbage bags, Rehydration packets

6 drums for water, Vitamins, Tylenol

6 boxes toilet paper

Liquid soap, Disinfectant

Hand sanitizer, Clorox

Tape, Markers, Notebooks

Water test kits

Food / Gatorade

Paper plates, cups, plastic ware

We have received discounted rates from a water supply company: 1500 large sacks,
holding 60 water packets each, giving us 90,000 packets. The water will cost $1500,
transport from PAP to Joli Guibert will cost $800. We will need local transportation
along with our four-wheeled vehicle to transport water, medicine & supplies to the
affected areas where we will set up the emergency stations. We are planning to take
as much food as possible to give to the families coming to the clinics. After this
crisis passes, we will be meeting with the mayor and village leaders to discuss outhouse
sanitation possibilities.

Dr. Philip is so grateful for the help that is on the way…we will be sending back
reports after arriving there and assessing the situation.

Blessings,

Miriam

Crisis In Pestel

Hello Everyone,

We are so grateful for all of the emergency stations that have been set up in the
region of Pestel. These stations have saved lives as well as countless hours in travel.
People in this area no longer have to travel the long distance to Pestel to receive
medical help because they are able to get the care that they need in the facilities
that we have established. There has been and continues to be a constant flow of cholera
cases since our last trip, so another team of doctors and nurses will be going back
up to Pestel. New Life has spent the past few days planning and gathering resources
and necessities to bring back up to our clinics and to the sick people in Pestel.
We have met with the World Health Organization and other health experts and are excited
to cooperatively work hand in hand with them in the future. Although we are continuously
in need of funds, due to the high demand of supplies, resources, transportation costs,
and health care workers needed to staff our clinics, we want to deeply thank you
for your continued prayers and support. It is very important for us to keep these
stations open and supplied especially in the next few months. Missions like this
could not be possible without you. Please designate donations to the cholera crisis
fund and send them to our home office in Lake Worth, Florida, who will immediately
get it to us in Haiti.